SMART WATCHES (WEARABLE TECH), FINALLY COMING OF AGE: IS IT FOR YOU!?

June 2015

Since the announcement of the iWatch, the Apple community and many other tech observers and first adopters went berserk with the possibilities, but for me and many skeptics, I wondered, do I really need another device??? my initial feeling is no, but most recently as many more companies have launched their own high tech wearable tech/Smart Watches with many many more features and compatible with Android devices I have begun to see a possible use for myself.

Motorola, LG, Huawei, ASUS, Fitbit, Tom Tom, Addidas, and Microsoft are now making these watches as a coordinated effort with Google to offer Android users a plethora of options, including Square and round designs, sizes and designs for women and men,  Multiple digital watch faces to choose from, sport & heart rate tracking for your exercise routines, whether running, walking or climbing, and of course you can check your Gmail, Calendar, Facebook and play music as long as it is linked and synced to your phone. Technically, your phone and Android powers the watch, with the watch being the truncated "display unit" for the information on your phone. So these watches won't function fully without your phone, at least not yet, I'm sure Google is working on building and further miniaturizing mobile cell technology so these watches can run on a version of Android built for watches. one day soon I expect, but for now, you need your phone nearby to use these watches. Of-course certain basics will continue to work without your phone's Android processing power, like the watch faces, time, date and GPS tracking. Some even offer music downloads so you can listen anytime.

For me the most attractive feature is the GPS tracking of my exercise and the main reason I would opt for one of these new devices, so I don't have to get a fitbit or sport tracking device. having all the other added features is a bonus, but then I think to myself, I could already do all that with my Android phone, the Samsung Galaxy 5S, so do i really NEED to get this watch!? what's the opportunity cost, what else can I spend this $400 on?? For me the LG Urbane is the most attractive of the bunch, offering a classic watch style with a round design and built in Wifi. However, I feel buying one of these watches is more for status symbol than actual utility of the device, so since I'm not one who typically runs with the crowd, for now I'll pass, I don't need this status symbol. You on the other hand may want it precisely for that reason. maybe you want to be the first among your friends to have this wearable tech. So this holiday season you can expect a lot of discounts and competition for these new devices as these manufacturers battle it out for market share.

UPDATE 11/20/15: It's about 5 weeks before #Christmas and one week before the biggest shopping day of the year, #BlackFriday, (the day after the #Thanksgiving #Holiday), and as #predicted #SmartWatch ads are becoming more frequent and repetitive with #Samsung leading the charge as HP and #Movado team up to build and share one #smartwatch. if you're in the market, i expect the best prices will come to you the week after Christmas.

Read more about these watches here, at the officical Android Blog: http://officialandroid.blogspot.com/2015/09/android-wear-new-watch-styles-and-sizes.html

On Legacy and great exemplary #courage: Muhammed Ali #muhammedAli

The greatest #MuhammadAli has left us a #Legacy of REAL COURAGE, showing #courage when it mattered most and for the benefit of all. To Echo the Obama's "He showed courage when others wouldn't, he stood up for his beliefs"

We are all better off for his being here and for him being himself. He is indeed the greatest example of a #Hero for our children to emulate, regardless of where in the world you are from.

Mr. Ali IS a hero of mine and lived a life I aspire to, in courage, conviction and leadership. Regardless of the consequences, he stood up and spoke out, even to his own detriment, if that is not courage, I don't know what is. During his opposition to the vietnam war, he expected to be executed for his stance, yet he did it, remember, in the 1960s assisination was commonplace, JFK and Martin Luther KIng Jr both fell to assassins plus the US armed forces could have court marshalled him and sentenced him to a firing squad, yet, just like my other hero, Nelson Mandela, He did it anyway. he stood up and spoke out. and famously said "what did those vietcong ever did to me? NO vietcong ever called me #nigga, why should I go over there to fight them." around the same time George W. #Bush was draft dodging, also not wanting to go to vietnam, but for very different reasons, not courageous at all in my opionion.

Would you be willing to put your life on the line for your beliefs? think about that a moment, and now you really begin to see the measure of Muhammed Ali. We all hear horror stories of the way black people was treated in this country, for hundreds of years, right into the 1960s, this aplifies the nature of his stance.

But to be clear, he was #courageous his entire life, it takes courage to aska police officer to train you, at 10 years old anyway, he was courageous when he represented the #USA and won #Gold at the #Olympics, he was courageous and some say outrageous when he decided the fight the toughest heavy weights in the world, from #Frazier to #Forman. He was courageous everytime he lost and came back to win. He spoke like a hero and he fought like alike Hero his whole life, in every arena.

We now must create comics books and videos, and more movies and classroom lessons for our kids about this, the greatest hero of all, a most exemplary of men, Mohammed Ali. #Prophet Mohammad himself, on whom be peace, is looking down and and marveling at the chance to finally meet his namesake. A hero for all, a Hero for all time.

TRINIDAD #DOUBLESDOWN ON #DIWALI WITH 10 DAYS OF CELEBRATION #India

That's Right #India, your #CaribbeanCousins in #Trindad and #Tobago (T&T) have doubled down on Diwali. while in India you celebrate for 5 days, in Trinidad we do 10 days, In 2015 it began with the opening of the of the Diwali Nagar (Diwali village) on November 1st. Today November 7th, 2015 #Diwali is the #1 trending topic on #Facebook. To say that Diwali is big in T&T, is like saying that we need air to breath. Regardless of Race or religion, it's a national event that's become highly commercialized and ritualized. while the Hindu folks still fast and pray and do their Pujas, the entire nation revels in the 10-day "Diwali Season", with both businesses and politicians going nuts to be seen as a supporter of Diwali.

The Diwali Nagar is also the first Diwali Theme park created in the world and is now being "imported" by at least one Indian municipality we know of, Trade missions from India is always brought to the Diwali Nagar, where the T&T Government shows off our massive theme park, which lies dormant during the rest of the year, save for the occasional concert and the annual "Hanuman ChanTTing". Diwali is loved so much by the Indo-Caribbean peoples' of Trinidad and Tobago, they bring it with them whenever they migrate, here in New York City this is evident by the annual Diwali Motorcade in South Richmond Hill, Queens.

In T&T, the 10 days is replete with activities that only happen at this time of year, the creation of Bamboo scapes (using bamboo to make designs and structures to hold and present Deyas), please see photos below. Deyas are the ubiquitous vessel made of clay that holds a wick and a couple ounces of oil, that was used to light the way for Ram and Sita as they return victorious from the forest. In T&T, coconut oil is the most common fuel used for the Deyas. There are competitions that reward winners for their Bamboo Scapes. In most towns and villages, the entire community gathers at the local #Cricket ground to build their Bamboo scapes, It doesn't matter your #race or #religion, in T&T, Diwali is a national event, everyone participates. while only #Hindus go to temple and pray for Diwali, everyone is involved in all the cultural events including plays and skits, singing and dancing and maintaining the Deyas during the night on Diwali day, just as I was when growing up in Trinidad.

In T&T, Diwali has also become very commercialized. Every business worth their salt, advertises extensively during the Diwali season, offering "Diwali specials" and buys a booth at the Diwali Nagar, where you can be fed and entertained exquisitely for 10 days of celebrations. In addition to the cultural and religious programme ever day and night, popular restaurants, and individuals, cook fresh Roti and Takari (vegetable filling) and make local drinks. of-course the big food chains also get in on the act like popular T&T ice-cream maker Willie's Ice cream with coconut usually the most popular flavour requested. Diwali is also as big a revenue stream for both Radio and TV in T&T as Christmas, as advertisers know the value of advertising at this time of year. Of-course the politicians ALL want to be seen celebrating Diwali, regardless of race or religion, political photo-ops and speeches during our 10-day celebration is a nuisance we have to endure.

Like North Americans do for Christmas, in T&T, preparing for Diwali includes fasting for Hindus, most people are also cleaning, fixing, painting and decorating houses and in some cases, making their own Deyas and coconut oil. Tile red is the most popular color of paint used at this time of year, with thousands of gallons being sold during the Diwali season. Many folks install "Christmas lights" to adorn their houses, particularly the ubiquitous veranda, which stays up past New Years day. While it's only Hindus who actually adorn their homes with Deyas, usually the neighbors, and particularly their children, who helps to lay them out and maintain them during the night by refilling with the oil or replacing the wicks, regardless of race or religion.

Migrants from India has been in T&T since 1845, and the Caribbean itself since 1838. With them they brought their Indian Culture, religions, foods, plants, intelligence, innovation, industrious nature and entrepreneurial spirit to the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Though T&T is a plural multi-cultural society that includes peoples from India, Africa, China, Spain, France, England, Ireland, Scotland, the middle east, the indigenous Amerindians and from across the Caribbean islands, it is quite evident that the migrants from India has had the most impact on society. Innovation by Indians in T&T include the most famous street food known as "Doubles", Buss-up-shot (T&T Paratha Roti), Dhal Puri (very different from Indian Puris), Chutney Music and Chutney Dance.

Diwali, is quickly becoming a quintessential world holiday because as the Original Festival of Lights, it bears meaning to many people, not just Hindus, plus its so much fun to be part of this tradition. If there is no Diwali celebrations where you are, please plan your next vacation in Trinidad during our 10-day festival, it will be the experience of your family's life.

photos via aesthetic.glory.blogspot.com